Missouri Southern State University, having a statewide mission in health and life sciences recently approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as the inaugural dean of the College of Health, Life Sciences, and Education.
Reporting to the provost/vice president for academic affairs, the successful candidate must have the experience and vision to inspire, support, and lead a dedicated faculty; be highly focused on student success; advance teaching, research, and service within the college; and serve as an active liaison to the external stakeholders in fulfillment of the university’s new mission.
The College of Health, Life Sciences, and Education (CHLSE) is comprised of the following academic disciplines: nursing, respiratory therapy, radiology, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, healthcare administration, psychology, kinesiology, teacher education, biology, and environmental health and safety. Auxiliary units in the CHLSE include: The Acacia Center (innovative behavioral, educational, and social services), Lion Cub Academy (child development center and early childhood education lab), and the Lion Co-Op (addressing food insecurity among MSSU students). Many of the programs in the College of Health, Life Sciences and Education have specialized accreditation, including the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Environmental Health Accreditation Council (EHAC).
Each of these academic areas and auxiliary units are highly regarded among prospective students and employers. Of special note is the fact that Missouri Southern has more undergraduate health and life science programs than any other public university in the state, tied at fourteen programs with the state’s flagship university. This academic strength will provide a foundation from which a visionary dean can build a truly impactful enterprise.
In addition, the university is building a new $45 million, 70,000sf Health Science Innovation Center - a state-of-the-art teaching and training facility that includes a simulation hospital, skills labs, expanded cadaver lab, radiologic technology laboratory, VR lab, and research facilities for students, faculty, and university partners. This “best in class” facility will strengthen the university’s position as a leader in health science education.
The dean will play an exciting leadership role in both opening this facility and with the evolution of Southwest Missouri as the healthcare hub of the region. This includes participating with the Joplin Regional Alliance for Healthcare and Health Sciences, a dynamic group of industry executives, educators, and thought leaders charting a path into the future for the region that includes new academic programs to meet critical workforce needs.
Joplin, Missouri is a dynamic, growing community of 50,000 residents whose populations swells to over 250,000 daily as the healthcare, employment, educational, cultural, and retail hub of the four states region (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas). Joplin is known for its small-town feel with shopping, dining, and entertainment amenities of a far-larger city. The smallest city in America that is home to a community college, university, medical school, and dental school, Joplin is positioned to take the next step on its path to becoming an economic and educational powerhouse.
For more information, including a complete job description, individuals interested in this exciting opportunity should visit mssu.clearcompany.com. For full consideration, applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vita, and five professional references at mssu.clearcompany.com by Friday, February 16, 2024.